Interesting statistics in this article about financial aid for higher education. http://goo.gl/BjlRC2
"Roughly 20% of undergraduate students didn’t apply for financial aid during the 2011 to 2012 academic year. [...] The most common factor cited by students was the concern that they wouldn’t be eligible for it at 44%, followed closely by 43% of students who said they believed they were able to afford college without assistance."
With the new college year starting soon, many of our clients are completing the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) for the first time. We recommend that all of our clients applying for college or those with children in school complete the FAFSA, regardless of their perceived eligibility. Even if grants are not awarded, aid in the form of subsidized student loan rates may be available.
We also encourage our clients to check with their accountant or tax advisor on their eligibility for any of the education tax credits.
More information here: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/education-credits